Pangaea Awards
About Pangaea Awards
Each year, the University of Washington's Pangaea Program provides awards for a select number of student services staff to join an Exploration Seminar international program for 10 days. These professional development awards are designed to provide advisors and other key student services staff with the opportunity to learn first-hand about the study abroad experience and its impact on students and the University. The goal of this program is to provide advisers:
- a better understanding of the realities and benefits of international study,
- increased knowledge and experience that will make them better advocates on campus for international study and teaching, and
- enhanced professional development opportunities that recognize the hard work of dedicated and deserving UW advising staff.
 Pangaea comes from the Greek for “entire” (pan) and “earth” (gaia) and the award takes its name from the supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras about 250 million years ago, before each of the component continents were separated into their current configuration. We like to think of these awards as a tool for reversing 250 million years of continental drift by re-connecting the world through students and Pangaea award winners who participate in Exploration Seminars each year.
The role and experience of each Pangaea winner is unique: in addition to observing and participating in the program, they often provide in-country assistance to program directors, help with program assessment, and become expert on-campus promoters of study abroad.
Click here for a list of past Pangaea award winners!
What’s Included
Pangaea awards include the cost of international airfare to the program site, lodging, ten full days of participation on the program, all program costs that are typically covered for student participants, and much-deserved recognition for our valuable advising and student services staff. The awards do not include per-diem, transfers, visa or passport costs, immunizations, personal expenses, or any other costs not provided to student participants.
Winners may seek additional funding support from their department/unit or other sources to support costs not covered by the award.
Applying for a Pangaea Award
A call for applications is issued near the start of Winter quarter. Applications typically require a statement explaining your reasons for applying and how joining and exploration seminar relates to your department and student services functions, as well as a letter of nomination from your chair or director. Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee and announced in late Winter or early Spring. Applicants are asked to submit their top three choices of program/destination, and all effort is made to accommodate applicant preferences, but cannot be guaranteed.
Exploration Seminar programs take place in August and September (see program information online for exact dates). Selected Pangaeans will work together with faculty program directors to arrange details of their participation. For more information on the Exploration Seminar Program and to see a list of 2008 programs, please visit http://depts.washington.edu/explore.
To apply, please submit the following materials together:
- a one- to two-page statement that explains your reasons for applying, how joining an Exploration Seminar relates to your departmental and advising functions, and in what ways might be able to contribute to the Exploration Seminar Program (either “in country” or back here on campus),
- a listing of your top three program choices, and
- a letter of support from your chair or director.
DEADLINE: the 2009 call for proposals will be announced in January 2009.
Applications should be sent to:
Max Savishinsky
Exploration Seminar Program Director
Box 355815
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98195-5815 |
